Month of Prayer and Giving Day 17- Too Prepared?

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15

Recently I was chatting with one of my sons about how long it takes to prepare a sermon. He averred that it didn’t have to take 30 hours. I responded at times it takes longer – much longer. Maybe even 30 years.

Artur Piotrowski would have enjoyed our conversation. You see, he’s been criticised – not that unusually for someone having just recently completed seminary – for being too prepared. Now granted, not everyone has had the benefit of formal theological education. Nor, do those compelled by circumstance or choice to have other employment always have as much time as they would like to prepare. But, too prepared? That’s doubtful.

Does Artur need to grow in ministry in general and in his preaching in particular? Absolutely. Is criticism and attempting to stifle his enthusiasm to study the best way to help him?Absolutely not.

What Artur needs – and by God’s grace has found at Halling – is loving encouragement and support from those who love the Lord and one another. He is serving alongside Kevin Felix-Hollington at Halling as well as leading the replanting effort in nearby Ryarsh. The work is hard, but they are encouraged.

Artur desires to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ. He desires to be more prayerful. He longs for greater personal holiness and love for others. He needs some people who will pray for him.

Will you pray that Artur will continue to grow in his walk with the Lord? Will you pray that he will be able to effectively balance the different parts – including study – of his ministry work? Will you pray that the serious-minded approach he takes to the study of God’s word will eventuate in a congregation of spiritually mature believers in Ryarsh?

Will you pray, also, for clarity about how long he should continue in this work and if or when he should return to his native Poland for ministry there?

“Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”
3 John 8 ESV

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